About this project

$15,241

pledged of $15,000 goal

135

backers

THE STORY...

There’s a revolution
going on in mental health and it’s being led by "the patients." Thousands of
people diagnosed with mental illnesses are rejecting standard concepts of
illness, treatment and recovery. THAT’S CRAZY is a documentary feature about
Eric and 3 others who are on the front lines of this revolt.

Eric, a genetics
major, and his father, a doctor living in Madison, Wisconsin never imagined they
would challenge the mental health system. But when Eric, diagnosed as
schizophrenic, decided to refuse his medications because they made him feel
worse, the county issued a set of court orders that allowed police to pick him
up and take him to a local hospital to be force medicated. Eric’s decision to
refuse involuntary treatment with the help of his family triggers a series of
personal, medical and legal battles that are captured by everybody involved as
the events take place in real time. Eric's goal - to try a talking based treatment that has the highest success rate for psychosis in the world. Leading mental health activists and allies
such as David Oaks and Robert Whitaker explore the science and the ideas behind
the movement that believes people like Eric have a right to a voice and a
choice in their treatment. Stylized verite reveals the story - animation by Em Cooper illustrates the inner experience.

"When I talk to family members of people with psych diagnoses who support
coercion, I know it's a well meaning love. They see this upset family member
perhaps disrupting their home environment, frequently ending up locked up, in the
street so I have total compassion; what do you do at that point.The thing I don't get is why not have a dialogue with
people who have reached full recovery. Where’s the curiosity about full recovery? We have people in our movement who have been institutionalized
repeatedly, homeless, revolving door for decades, multiple suicide attempts and
yet they've somehow found this way for the human spirit to come back in a lot
of diverse ways. So where’s the curiosity about how folks got better?" David Oaks, Psych Survivor Human Rights Activist, Executive Director, MindFreedom International

PROJECT STATUS

We're in production and have shot about 35 hours of footage. We’re looking to raise 15,000 to pay for our next two shoots
– one to Madison, so we can continue to cover Eric’s story and one to
Philadelphia to cover a Boycott Normal protest at the American Psychiatric
Association. Both shoots are scheduled in May, so it’s critical we raise the
money now. Funds raised pay for crew, gear and travel expenses. If you think
this film is important, please contribute!

WHY WE’RE DOING IT

Madness is a
profound, deeply human and common experience. One in five Americans or 60
million of us will “experience a diagnosable mental illness” in any given year.
Yet despite the prevalence of sadness, anxiety, and fire in the brain, there’s
an important part of the discussion that’s occurring off the radar and that’s
what the people who are diagnosed have to say. THAT’S CRAZY presents the
experience of the people who have been through the fire and back again. We are
committed to this film because we think what they're saying is eventually going
to effect everybody.

How do we know when
someone is too shy? Grieves too much? Needs medication for anxiety? Many people with a mental health history challenge the idea that their experiences are pathological – or the
result of a chemical imbalance in their brains. They
claim the right to choose the treatment that works best for them – above all they insist that when they are in charge, full recovery is
possible. They say that the key to recovery is not compliance with meds, but
living with purpose and autonomy. They point to scientific evidence that shows
that antipsychotics, the primary treatment for mental illness, work for some
but not all and that for most, recovery rates are higher without psych drugs.
They believe that forced commitments and forced treatments, which are standard
for millions of Americans violate their constitutional and human rights. In
their view, they're not crazy – the system is. Welcome to the revolution that
wants to redefine normal.

WHAT IS KICKSTARTER?

Kickstarter is a way to fund projects - we put the word out about our project - you check it out - if you like it, you contribute any amount you like.

HOW THE FUNDING WORKS

Your contributions to this project are tax deductible through our fiscal sponsor, Center for Independent Documentary.

BUT If we don't raise the full 15,000.00 we don't get to keep your contributions and your money is returned to you.

WHAT IF WE EXCEED THE FUNDING GOAL?

Great news for the film. All funds go to complete filming.

OTHER WAYS TO SUPPORT THAT'S CRAZY

Send this link to friends, post on Facebook, add to the network!

THANKS FOR CHECKING OUT THAT'S CRAZY. WE ARE GRATEFUL FOR YOUR SUPPORT!!

FAQ

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